Leeds United Marcelo Bielsa favourite on lingering love, 2025/26 season performance and 49ers job | OneFootball

Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips hailed Leeds United's Premier League return as an incredible achievement, pointing to their strong second half and safe finish. According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, the Leeds-born midfielder also stressed his enduring connection with the club.

Daniel Farke's side started well, rode out a mini dip and pulled clear of relegation trouble. They finished 14th, a position that did not tell the whole story, and survival was the season's sole target.

Phillips, a key figure in Marcelo Bielsa's team that secured a top-10 finish before his £42m move to Manchester City, watched closely. He returned to Elland Road this week with Patrick Bamford and took part in a Q&A with supporters.

He said the run-in felt tighter than he expected and safety only seemed certain with three games left. He noted Leeds were seventh in the second-half form table, called it incredible and wished the players, the city and the club well for next season.

Phillips witnessed the start of the post-Bielsa dip but left with Leeds still in the top flight, then lifted the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in 2023, making 12, three and four appearances respectively. He praised 49ers Enterprises and chairman Paraag Marathe for clear progression under Farke.

An Achilles issue cost him the start of 2025/26 and an early loan, then a January move to Sheffield United brought three appearances and two starts before a red card and a knee injury ended his season in February. He said a lack of regular football has led to more injuries and he hopes for a good campaign next.

Phillips has been linked with another spell under Chris Wilder at Bramall Lane as he enters the penultimate year of his Manchester City contract.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk